Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-05

In furtheranee OF its prohibition laws, Maine
has decided 10 face United States statutes and
raise question for the supreme Court OF the
United states. The question at issue Is whether
man selling liquor under q license given him by
the United States can be arrested and punished
for violation OF state law prohibiting the sale OF
liquor. The United states requires the payment
OF special tax for the importation and sale OF
liquor in the original packages, and permits such
importation and sale upon payment Of the tax.
Maine forbids such sale, declares the liquors con-
traband, and even pronounces the possession OF
the United states license priIna face evidence OF
violation OF the prohibitory law. An Augusta
liquor dealer by arrangement with foreign distil-
lers has been importing large quantities of liquor
IN small packages, and selling in the original
packages and 1t has become evident that unless
this course OF procedure can be stopped the state
prohibitory law win be nullifed. Maine IS now
prohibition state in dead earnest. The enterpriS-
Ing liquor dealer has been arrested. and his goods
seized, and the state will carry the matter to the
Supreme Court OF the United States before It will
acknowledge itself beaten and surrender to the
liquor men. The politicians who ascribe every act
OF the Maine republicans to Mr.. Baine's sugges-
ton, see In this bold stand on the side Of prohibit
tion In contrast with the lukewarm support
which that principle has received from repub-
ncans at other times and elsewhere, determine
ton to win the prohibitionists at all hazards for
the man from Maine and development of the
republican plan for 1855 of conciiiating the pro-
hibitionists faster than the democrats concil-
late the labor men.
It Is pleasant sign of the times that Independ-
ence day should have been so generally celebrated
with the old-fashioned exercises of reading the
declaration OF Independence, singing patriotic
odes. witnessing professions OF citizen soldiery
and cheering the flag. Everything that tends to
keep wildly before the American mind the patr-
otto meaning OF the holiday Is welcome. Its real
significance too often lost sight Of under certain
senseless customs which have grown up about 1T,
or through the dsuse of celebration OF any sort.
The independence Of our colonial union was pur-
chased at so dear price that Americans cannot.
afford to treat IL with disrespect or Indifference
The advantages which have flowed from its estab-
lishment. have been so great that its origin
ought to be held always In view for the edifcation
OF successive generations of American youth.
A gratifying feature OF the days observance in
Washington was the patriotic turn given to every
thing at the festivities OF the Knights OF Labor
Members Of the order We'd with each other in
Affirming their individual loyalty and the hearty
devotion OF the society at large to the principles
Of the constitution. Anarchism and its kindred
forms OF treason received nothing but denuncia-
ton, and the expressions of good American doc
trine were cheered to the echo. All such signs as
these cheer the heart OF the lover OF his country
for they indicate that the rank and file OF our
great army of workingmen appreciate the liberty
they enjoy, recognize its source and are prepared
TO defend it against the attacks OF imported NAL
contents and domestic professional agitators.
senator Morgan's speech at the celebration of
the founding of the first iron furnace at Mentgom-
cry, Ala, bristled all over with multiplication
sentiments. His argument left the beaten track
OF tariff morals so 70 speak, and entered into the
question OF tariff utility. Like other free traders Mr.
Morgan believes The principle OF protection to be
radically wrong and In defiance OF the power OF
taxation vested in the general Government by the
Constitution. But he went further than this yes
teray, and declared that the iron industry of the
South neither needed nor wanted professionalism
II could maintain itself in prosperity without it.
This Is unquestionably bold ground for man to
take who Is next year to be acandidate for reeec-
ton to the Senate by the legislature OF a state
just making the critical transition from the agr-
cultural 10 the mechanical stage Of its growth 1t
may put to severe test the SOuths proverbtal at
tzchment to men as distinguished from measures
sentiment 50 Strikingly emphasized when Mr. La
mar, from his place In the Senate, denounced the
silver bill which the legislature OF Mississippi
had endorsed by handsome VOTE
Our neighbor the Post in Sundays issue gives an
appreciative editorial summary Of number of
from time to time by citizens OF Washington.
largely through The STAR, and defends the critics
against the charge OF 'sulking with disdafnr or
being furious with gnation when they venture
TO criticiSe 'the raw methods OF the..CommiSsiony
TIE STAR IS glad to find that the Post now rec
ognfzes that the suspicion concerning the political
purpose of the new rules was not unnatural that
the promptings Of real civil service reform and a
desire TO retain stable, permanent element OF
a nd of fbn docfr
Keep incompetentS in Office led the general pro-
test In this city against the threatened 6popula-
ton OF the departments. and that the compulsory
feature OF examination for promotion {due tn
their absurd combination with examinations for
dismissals,, and the omission OF the fourth class
clerks from the test OF examination are logically
Objectionable The Post is now in line with pub
lie opinion In the District and with THE Sr.R
which has so eontended from the first.
Utah win md 1t very difficult TO work its way
into the Union rs a State. The anti-Mornons
OF Utah. besides protesting against religious domi
nation, even with pOlygamy repudiated are not
slow 70 intimate that whatever Declarations
may be made now by Mormon leaders upon the
principle that the end justifeS the means the peo
pie VIII not surrender permanently what thew he
neve TO be a part Of their religion and that as
sooa as they are PLACED beyond national control
by the GIT OF statehood, NOrrnonisrn Will resume
all It's htieous features and display them with i'm
purity. The condition OF Affairs in Utah. unlike
the confirmed repubIicsnisIn OF Dakota, is a sum.
Gent excuse for refusing territory admission as
state, and Titan. notwithstanding it Il r1pbt
politically with the powers that be- win profanity
have even a harder task before t than Dasota
itself
Considering the dry weather that had prevailed
for 80 many days and the use OF nre-crackers and
other explosives. Washington has enjoyed mar
Vicious Immunity from fires during the national
jubilee season The customary storm with which
the day closed Was also ObIigfngly late In coming
ana not up 70 the usual mark OF effectiveness in
frightening people and damaging property. The
day was as happy in It's omissions as In IT'S active
attractions.